Matchup

Heavy AD damageSustained DPS

Build vs Kalista

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Hextech Rocketbelt
1Mage tank
Zhonya's Hourglass
2vs AD
Shadowflame
3vs Tank

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
5HP

Summoner spells

41467%
3433%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Frozen Heart
5vs AD

Anti Heal

Morellonomicon
6vs Heal

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Stormsurge
5vs Tank

DPS

Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage
Malignance
Mage
Lich Bane
Mage

Other options

Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
HP
100.0% WR1 games
SorcerySorcery
Arcane CometArcane Comet
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
DominationDomination
Ultimate HunterUltimate Hunter
Cheap ShotCheap Shot
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
NeekoNeeko
KalistaKalista
Favorable
Favorable
Passive

Kalista's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Martial Poise (P)

Enter a movement command while winding up Kalista's basic attack or Pierce to lunge a short distance when she launches her attack.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
39s30s0s
69s30s0s2m40
99s30s0s2m40
119s30s0s2m20
169s30s0s2m
189s30s0s2m

Playing against Kalista

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Kalista depends on her bound support — if the support is eliminated, she loses her R and a lot of utility.

2

Slows are devastating against Kalista: her passive dash scales with movement speed. Slow = tiny hops.

3

Burst champions are effective: if she can't auto to dash, she's very vulnerable.

4

Grievous Wounds isn't as important as against other ADCs — focus on CC and burst instead.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026